Seizures represent a common neurologic complaint among pediatric patients in the emergency department (ED). They can be classified as generalized or focal. In terms of etiology, seizures are most basically broken down into “acute symptomatic” seizures, which are due to another primary medical cause, and unprovoked seizures which occur as a primary pathology. Febrile seizures are the most common types of seizures in children, which themselves can be simple or complex. The most concerning seizures are those which associate with meningismus, encephalitis, metabolic derangements, intracranial mass, and, of course those which progress to status epilepticus. Significantly, it is appropriate and even critical to assume status epilepticus and intervene accordingly whenever a child arrives to the ED seizing for an unspecified period of time. This review covers the initial evaluation, resuscitation, management, work-up, and disposition of pediatric patients who present to the emergency room with seizures. Figures in this chapter illustrate stepwise and algorithmic approaches to initial management, expanded differential, systematic diagnostic approach, and disposition for pediatric patients presenting with seizures and status epilepticus. Tables list important physical exam components for evaluating children with seizures, classifications of seizures, common seizure look-alikes in children, features of febrile seizures, etiologies of pediatric seizures.
This review contains 5 figures, 11 tables, and 22 references.
Key Words: pediatric seizures, febrile seizures, pediatric neurologic emergencies, pediatric emergency medicine, status epilepticus
Acute symptomatic seizures in critically ill children: frequency, etiology and outcomes
